The real-deal diesel.
The 2004 Volkswagen Passat is mostly unchanged from the 2003 model year. A complete head to toe revamp is scheduled for mid-2005. The Passat has been the best selling midsize German car since its introduction on our shores in 1990. Volkswagen has been through some very tough times in the recent past and their sale numbers have fallen. But so have almost everyone else's. The next 12 months will be a crucial time because VW will be introducing at least 3 new models and the public will have to bite, otherwise VW will have to make more cuts. There have even been talks of a takeover of the company by investment groups. This is Germany's largest manufacturer and hopefully the eccentricity and overspending it is known for has been curbed. The tested Passat was a GLS TDi with the leather and luxury packages and Volkswagen's electronic stabilization program (ESP). It retailed for 35 830$.
Exterior styling
Beautiful and elegant are two words that best describe the exterior design of the Passat. The sleek styling does not scream for attention but it is recognizable as a German car right away. The Stonehenge Grey exterior color is accented by stylish 15" alloy wheels and neat yet discreet chrome accents. The attention to details is apparent: paint application is even and smooth and the body panel alignment is nearly flawless; almost as good as a Mercedes. The graceful lines are reminiscent of the Audis and really make the car look more like an entry level luxury car than a regular midsize sedan.
Interior styling
A sombre yet graceful cabin awaits behind the doors. Supple black leather covers comfortable and well supporting seats. The plastics are top notch quality and the assembly was done with precision. The adjustable sliding/folding armrest is a nice touch however it could be a little deeper. Also, the glove compartment is very small. This really does not leave much room to store odds and ends.
One of my favourite gadgets in any car is the auto up/down window switches. Nobody does it better than Volkswagen; the switches are push/pull as opposed to toggle style and they work perfectly. The purple and red interior lights have become classics and will never get old; so much so that other manufacturers have tried to copy the effect in their cars with little or no success. As opposed to other Volkswagens that I have tested in the past years, this one had no rattles whatsoever. Overall interior space is generous and the trunk is a good size although it could be a little wider. The finishing touches inside the trunk are deserving of a car twice the Passat's price.
Visibility in every direction is good. There are no particular weak spots. There is some wind noise, especially from the mirrors. Otherwise the cabin is very quiet.
Technical
Volkswagen has been at the forefront of diesel technology for quite a while. Their latest crop of engines includes two 4 cylinder engines and a 10 cylinder. The TDi's new Pumpe Duse injection (each cylinder has its own pump and injector combo) system provides more efficient combustion and better performance. The Passat is available with a 1.8L turbocharged 4 cylinder that produces 170 hp and a V6 2.8L that pumps out 190 hp. Both run on conventional fuel. The one that is of interest and that powers the tester is a 2.0L turbocharged 4 cylinder diesel engine that churns out 134 hp at 4 000 rpm and whopping 247 lb/ft of torque at 1 900 rpm. A 5 speed manual transmission is available for the two gas engines but not the diesel. Standard with the TDi but optional with the other engines is a 5 speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic. The W8 has been discontinued for 2005 due to very slow sales.
The 2004 Volkswagen Passat is mostly unchanged from the 2003 model year. A complete head to toe revamp is scheduled for mid-2005. The Passat has been the best selling midsize German car since its introduction on our shores in 1990. Volkswagen has been through some very tough times in the recent past and their sale numbers have fallen. But so have almost everyone else's. The next 12 months will be a crucial time because VW will be introducing at least 3 new models and the public will have to bite, otherwise VW will have to make more cuts. There have even been talks of a takeover of the company by investment groups. This is Germany's largest manufacturer and hopefully the eccentricity and overspending it is known for has been curbed. The tested Passat was a GLS TDi with the leather and luxury packages and Volkswagen's electronic stabilization program (ESP). It retailed for 35 830$.
Exterior styling
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Interior styling
A sombre yet graceful cabin awaits behind the doors. Supple black leather covers comfortable and well supporting seats. The plastics are top notch quality and the assembly was done with precision. The adjustable sliding/folding armrest is a nice touch however it could be a little deeper. Also, the glove compartment is very small. This really does not leave much room to store odds and ends.
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Visibility in every direction is good. There are no particular weak spots. There is some wind noise, especially from the mirrors. Otherwise the cabin is very quiet.
Technical
 |